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On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society Hardcover – October 1, 1995

by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman (Author)

236 customer reviews

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The twentieth century, with its bloody world wars, revolutions, and genocides accounting for hundreds of millions dead, would seem to prove that human beings are incredibly vicious predators and that killing is as natural as eating. But Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman, a psychologist and U.S. Army Ranger, demonstrates this is not the case. The good news, according to Grossman - drawing on dozens of interviews, first-person reports, and historic studies of combat, ranging from Frederick the Great's battles in the eighteenth century through Vietnam - is that the vast majority of soldiers are loath to kill. In World War II, for instance, only 15 to 25 percent of combat infantry were willing to fire their rifles. The provocative news is that modern armies, using Pavlovian and operant conditioning, have learned how to overcome this reluctance. In Korea about 50 percent of combat infantry were willing to shoot, and in Vietnam the figure rose to over 90 percent. The bad news is that by conditioning soldiers to overcome their instinctive loathing of killing, we have drastically increased post-combat stress - witness the devastated psychological state of our Vietnam vets as compared with those from earlier wars. And the truly terrible news is that contemporary civilian society, particularly the media, replicates the army's conditioning techniques and - according to Grossman's controversial thesis - is responsible for our rising rates of murder and violence, particularly among the young. In the explosive last section of the book, he argues that high-body-count movies, television violence (both news and entertainment), and interactive point-and-shoot video games are dangerously similar to thetraining programs that dehumanize the enemy, desensitize soldiers to the psychological ramifications of killing, and make pulling the trigger an automatic response.

On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Drawing on interviews, published personal accounts and academic studies, Grossman investigates the psychology of killing in combat. Stressing that human beings have a powerful, innate resistance to the taking of life, he examines the techniques developed by the military to overcome that aversion. His provocative study focuses in particular on the Vietnam war, revealing how the American soldier was "enabled to kill to a far greater degree than any other soldier in history." Grossman argues that the breakdown of American society, combined with the pervasive violence in the media and interactive video games, is conditioning our children to kill in a manner siimilar to the army's conditioning of soldiers: "We are reaching that stage of desensitization at which the infliction of pain and suffering has become a source of entertainment: vicarious pleasure rather than revulsion. We are learning to kill, and we are learning to like it." Grossman, a professor of military science at Arkansas State University, has written a study of relevance to a society of escalating violence.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Grossman (psychology, West Point) presents three important hypotheses: 1) That humans possess the reluctance to kill their own kind; 2) that this reluctance can be systematically broken down by use of standard conditioning techniques; and 3) that the reaction of "normal" (e.g., non-psychopathic) soliders to having killed in close combat can be best understood as a series of "stages" similar to the ubiquitous Kubler-Ross stages of reaction to life-threatening disease. While some of the evidence to support his theories have been previously presented by military historians (most notably, John Keegan), this systematic examination of the individual soldier's behavior, like all good scientific theory making, leads to a series of useful explanations for a variety of phenomena, such as the high rate of post traumatic stress disorders among Vietnam veterans, why the rate of aggravated assault continues to climb, and why civilian populations that have endured heavy bombing in warfare do not have high incidents of mental illness. This important book deserves a wide readership. Essential for all libraries serving military personnel or veterans, including most public libraries.
Mary Ann Hughes, Neill P.L., Pullman, Wash.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company; 1st edition (October 1, 1995)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316330000
ISBN-13: 978-0316330008
Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 9.5 x 1.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (236 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #345,918 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #395 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Social Sciences > Violence in Society
- #624 in Books > Medical Books > Psychology > Social Psychology & Interactions
- #861 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Psychology & Counseling > Social Psychology & Interactions

Customer Reviews

236

4.6 out of 5 stars

5 star		73%
4 star		18%
3 star		5%
2 star		2%
1 star		2%

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Top Customer Reviews

A fascinating study

By Andrew McCaffrey VINE VOICE on January 23, 2004

Format: Paperback Verified Purchase

ON KILLING is the study of what author Lt. Col. Dave Grossman has termed "killology". This odd term describes, not killing between nations, but the exact circumstances involved when one individual ends the life of another individual, with the primary focus being on combat situations. I've sometimes wondered how I (someone who has never been anywhere near armed conflict) would fare on the frontlines, as killing another human being seems like an almost impossible psychological task. As Grossman casts an eye over historical reports of combat, he found that, apparently, I wasn't alone in thinking that. During the First and Second World Wars, officers estimated that only 15-20 percent of their frontline soldiers actually fired their weapons, and there is evidence to suggest that most of those who did fire aimed their rifles harmless above the heads of their enemy.
Grossman's argument is carefully researched and methodically laid out. He begins by filling in some historical details, discussing the statistics for shots fired per soldier killed for the World Wars and the American Civil War. It's a refreshing and enlightening look at war that dispels a lot of misconceptions. An average solder in those wars was extremely reluctant to take arms against fellow humans, even in cases where his own life (or the lives of his companions) was threatened. Not to say that any of these people are cowards; in fact, many would engage in brave acts such as rescuing their comrades from behind enemy lines or standing in harm's way while helping a fellow to reload. But the ability to stare down the length of a gun barrel and make a conscious effort to end a life is a quality that is happily rare.Read more ›

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Fantastic book

By R. Mclatcher on November 9, 2006

Format: Paperback Verified Purchase

As a police officer we spend many hours in various forms of training. Some of this training is dedicated to the rules surrounding the use of our department issued firearms. Some of this training is dedicated to the physical skill of firing this weapon. None of the training is dedicated to what you go through after having actualy used this weapon against another human being in self defense. The extent of my departments response was...absolutely no critical incident debriefing and my appointment with the department phycologist occured 9 days after the shooting. The evaluation by the physcologist last 23 minutes total. At that point I knew that my well being was up to me to provide for. After some research I located this series of books by Dave Grossman. Purchasing these books was the best thing I could have done for myself. The information within these pages helped me understand all the stages of emotion that I was, and still am, going through. I would recommend these books to anyone in the military or in lawenforcement (or any family memeber there-of). They may very well have saved my sanity.

9 Comments 139 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...

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LTC Grossman was my favorite Commander.

By R. Allbrandt on March 8, 2003

Format: Hardcover

I just wanted to write a quick note and review about LTC Grossman's book and his character. I read a review which stated that, "His only vaguely denounced and hidden desire to change the US Constitution make me want to examine Mr. Grossman's education and military record in depth."

Let me say, I served briefly under LTC Grossman, then Major Grossman as a new Second Lieutenant in the US Army. He was, in my opinion, one of the most intelligent, thoughtful, and studied officers I ever had the privilege of serving with. It was LTC Grossman, that first instilled in me how a professional soldier acts, thinks, commands, and motivates. LTC Grossman used to give a speech to ROTC Cadets during summer training at Ft. Lewis, WA that was so motivational, by the end the cadets would literally stand up and scream for more. The Army videotaped the presentation and often tried (unsuccessfully) to duplicate it. LTC Grossman used to lead philosophical discussions about the "warrior spirit" that would engage even the least interested. He first enlightened me to think about the mind of our enemy ("One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter") and has helped me understand the minds and motivation of those that attacked the U.S. on 9/11 (I served under LTC Grossman in 1996). You will not defeat an enemy until you understand and address the root cause of their grievances.

For those interested in LTC Grossman's thoughts, I can recommend taking a look at several of Robert Heinlein's books, which LTC Grossman recommended to me. Specifically, "Starship Troopers", the book bastardised by Hollywood in the movie under the same name.

Many of LTC Grossman's teachings remain with me today, and he is one person that will impart knowledge that stays with you for a lifetime.Read more ›

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A Wife's Review

By A Customer on February 6, 2000

Format: Paperback

As a wife of a Viet Nam Veteran, I lived with a man that has suffered with the memories of that terrible war. For thirty years I have tried to understand what war was like. Everytime we started to talk about it, I could see how painfull the memories were. There seemed to be no way to break through the barriers that prevented us from being able to "talk about it." Then, I noticed a dramatic change in the man I love. He was more open and willing to discuss his role in Viet Nam. When I asked him what had made the difference, he handed me this book. I couldn't wait to read it. Although a lot of the facts and statistics were hard for me to understand, I continued to read. By the time I had finished reading, I had the answers I needed.
I would like to thank Colonel Grossman for releasing my husband from the memories and feelings of guilt that plagued his life. The book On Killing, it is strange to say this, has brought us closer than we have ever been.
To the other wifes: I very highly recommend this book. It may not answer all of your questions, but it will give you a better understanding of what the act of killing involves and the impact it can have on those that have experienced the worst of all evils, the taking of another life.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

Five Stars

Excellent read for law enforcement officers. The author is an expert on the subject matter.

Published 28 days ago by Team Wrinkle

If you have serveed or work eith those who have served this book is a...

A must for any current or former service member.

Published 3 months ago by Luis

Five Stars

Probably not for everybody but is great in my opinion.

Published 3 months ago by Ace of Spades

Real world solutions and explanations without the political...

Best explanation for the "real world"experience and solutions by a true Hero Lt Dave Grossman. Keep up the great work Lt. Read more

Published 3 months ago by Amazon Customer

Excellent read. Well worth the study for the concealed carrier.

One of the most important books I've read for the concealed carrier. Lot's of detail and insights. This was originally recommended to me by my firearms instructor, who is a range... Read more

Published 3 months ago by Steven B

Four Stars

Long and quite technical at times. But very informative.

Published 4 months ago by E. Schultz

Book better than seller

Seller sent me a piece represented as a new book. Notwithstanding, it is a good book. Do not buy from my seller.

Published 4 months ago by cwilson

Five Stars

very interesting first hand account of the historical events

Published 4 months ago by A. Myagkiy

Four Stars

Well researched, well written. This book is an eye-opener.

Published 6 months ago by Amazon Customer

I have gone to a seminar Grossman was putting on and I highly...

Grossman brings to light interesting facts and theories after reading this book. However there are times during the book that I struggled to read on. Read more

Published 6 months ago by Doug C.